In most jurisdictions in the United States zoning laws require that the walls of the structure be setback from the property line. This represents the front, back, and side yards. The rules regarding the amount of setback can depend on which property line, the type of structure, and the height of the structure.
Apparently this structure was built before those zoning regulations, and it can't be modified because of the historic preservation laws. The structure extends all the way to the property line.
Is this a plus?
- That appeals to some people, and doesn't appeal to others. No lawn can be viewed either way.
- If the property next door is the same way, then you will essentially have a duplex like structure. The spreading of a fire could be an issue.
- That is the maximum amount of "living space" that the building can have without going to additional stories. Of course you may not be able to build up with the historic preservation rules.
- Speaking of historic preservation, some people like being limited by those rules, others avoid those types of properties.